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Month: March 2014

Most of my friends are married today. Majority of them found their match outside their community and by grace of god; they are leading a beautiful life. When it comes to such a marriage, I see people terming it as an ‘inter caste’ marriage. For instance, if a Gujarati marries a Bong, they call it an ‘inter caste’ marriage. Why?

According to me, it should be termed as an ‘inter-culture’ marriage. Caste is absolutely a different tangent. Caste according to Hinduism means hereditary sections/classes of the Hindu society. There are mainly four classes of caste and goes in the following descending order:

Brahmin

Kayestha

Vaishya

Shudra

Earlier, people were identified by their relative degrees and were treated accordingly. Jobs, social status and other cultural aspects were widely dependent on the caste you belonged to. This cast system was such an integral part of Hindu society that a Shudra was called an ‘untouchable’ and he would only serve the first three through meager jobs. This caste system has come a long way in the country. With instrumental efforts by Dr. BR Ambedkar, untouchables are no more untouchables but rather a significant section in our society. All the four classes are treated with equality and the modern generation considers caste a passé.

Now coming to this point, for instance, a Brahmin decides to marry a Shudra, then it should be termed as ‘inter-caste’. But unfortunately, this term is used for all forms of marriages. A marriage where two people from two different communities decide to marry, we should address it as an ‘inter-culture’ marriage and not an ‘inter-caste’. Because, two partners come across a cultural blend irrespective of their caste. Remember, Chetan Bhagat marrying a south Indian, it wasn’t ‘inter caste’ but rather ‘inter-culture’.

Now, what if two people from two religions want to tie the knot? It should be named as an ‘inter-religion’ marriage. I know even Wikipedia has a broad explanation on this but somehow, I am not contented. There are fair chances that many people may have different opinions towards it but I just wished to speak about this so called an ‘inter caste’ marriage.

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My trip to Jaipur was short. We took Ashram express from Delhi and reached Jaipur within 6 hours (8.30 PM in the night). Finding a hotel, or booking a cab for the trip weren’t irksome. Things happened smoothly. Before I begin, I must confess that Rajasthani people are humble and warm.

So, the next day we started with a trip to Jaipur. Our cabbie cum guide took us to Birla Mandir. Honestly speaking, it wasn’t anything extraordinary. But I liked the architecture and loved the shining marble. Just before the temple, lies a gigantic mountain and their on top is a Shiva temple. This shrine opens annually on the auspicious occasion of Shivratri. We further went to Albert Hall which is a museum. It had all the fine, and precious items from historic era. We saw carpets, statues, metals, guns, utensils and much more.

Further, Hawa Mahal was a delight. To visit the palace, one travels through the market area. And in literal terms, the market was all pink. All shops and residences are socked in deep pink.

Disciplined and coordinated, the shops were systematically lined. Finally, was the much awaited Hawa Mahal.

To whatever distance could your eyes go, you could see windows. Small windows, big windows, windows and some more windows. The palace is huge and gives you a lot of places to glance at. As you go to the top most location, you can almost view the entire Jaipur city. Later, we made our way to Jantar Mantar.

Since, I have not been to the one in Delhi, so this Jantar Mantar in Jaipur seemed new. It was created to understand the time of the day, check latitude and longitude, Zodiac sign descriptions and different other Geography based information. Strolling through market in Badi and Choti Chaupar, we were taken to Jal Mahal, which is very popular about the fact that out of 7 storeys, 5 are beneath the water. You can simply take a look at it and feed fishes in the water. I found it no less than haunted as the Mahal is in the middle of water and only pigeons make a visit. Just next to the Jal, Mahal, you can find an array of flea market. From typical Rajasthani footwear, dresses, dolls to chaat – you name it and you get it.

And, then we aimed towards Amer ka Kila. As gigantic as you could imagine! I would recommend everyone to take an entire day for this palace as it is huge and offers you way too many nook and corners to check out. Inside the palace, there lies an ancient temple called as Sheila Mata ka Mandir (goddess Kali).

The palace gives you an opportunity to quest your thirst for all the history you have been looking for. Intricate carving, floral designs, gardens and more, the Sheesh Mahal inside is a galore of art and craft. I salute the craftsmen. And in the middle of history and art, the 21st century man made a Café Coffee Day. As you saunter through heavily engraved pillars, you see waiters offering soda drinks, patties and coffee – courtesy trade and commerce.

We also attended Phag Utsav in Shri Govind Nath Ji Ka Mandir. It is a festival wherein artists come and perform in form of traditional dance and song. It is more like an offering made to Lord Krishna. I couldn’t have seen much more flamboyance than at this temple.

Coming to food, do not forget to try Daal Baati Churma, Mirch Pakode, Aloo bonde and other snack items mostly hot and rich in spices. And yes, the state proudly boasts off its apparel suitcase wherein you can get Bandhej, Bandhani, Leheriya, Ghagra Choli and more. How can you just dress up and not embellish yourself with jewelry. Get a set of bangles, necklaces and earrings made of Lac. The city offers you vibrancy in abundance and an opportunity to make merry in festivals.

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Hallelujah! Women’s day, yes, there comes a cascade of women based speeches on how good we are. Men religiously talking about women, the goody-goody things women do and the super power they are. It is that time of the year, when everyone will get into that feminist mode and gag praises about our mothers, sisters and the entire league. In this blog, I will not talk about the goodness we have or the revolutionary attempts we have done. I will talk about the bad woman who is there in all of us and manifests in many cases.

What about the women who never let you live in peace or keep nagging for no reason. That woman who speaks rude or remains agitated on no occasion. Such behavior adversely affects the recipient’s mindset. Women are known for being kind hearted but not always. I have come across women who fail to develop compassion towards others.

Time and again, I have always seen women who own distinction in demotivating people, creating negativity in the environment and envying someone who is completely different from them. No one can be perfect and women equally stand there.

Kakeyi was the reason behind why Ram had to go to woods and Sita was the one who made sure he wasn’t alone. Two women, two scenarios! Draupadi was revolutionary then as she had five husbands. Sunanada Puskar died due to another woman’s folly. Saas bahu sagas remain perennial journey of feminine feudalism. You ask me why men have trust issues? I feel amazed with the diversity in women we have. Being a woman myself, I never understood the feminine complexity. The dynamism.

I have come across women who never reacted when their friend was on fire. The woman who never rescued or alerted the other. Women seem to be living in conundrum forever when they fail to decide and find it victory to win over silly debates. When you are a woman, you have to be positive, happy and a well-wisher to others. Your thoughts could cause Pyrrhic victory to someone else probably another woman. Compassion women, compassion! Hope this international women’s day brings in more change and more positivity. And a tinge of happiness!

Woman woman everywhere

Victory victory everywhere

And I swear

Then why empathy remains miles away

Things will sort

Sort with ease

Spread love, spread joy, spread you

Woman woman everywhere

Photo courtesy: Swapnil Saxena

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You do not eat, is it? – Oh yes! We don’t. We starve. I do not know since which day am I ears to this nuisance. I am thin not because I do not eat. But, I have a body type like that. And I am pretty proud of it.

You must be eating too much – And if the latter did not work out, this is another one. We do not live on mere morsels of rice. We eat like normal human beings do. And, our plates do not replicate Mount Everest.

You guys are always so fit – Exactly! Thanks to our genes, we manage to fit in a handkerchief without protruding things. Understand, body types differ in measurements. We have always been pendulum kinds who would move to and fro and yet never move by your thoughts

All clothes fit you like anything – Hell ya! All clothes fit us like daily passengers in Bombay local. Sizes like small and extra small define that chunk of people in that whole crowd. We proudly manifest it. You got to lose out all those extra flesh and step in our shoes.

You can adjust in any space – Bingo! We can manage within that thin gap between two walls. You see, we don’t really need space, we can sit in any nook. Or rather try vacuum for instance. I wonder to what extent thin people adjust while sitting in autos and trains to make sure that the other make-us-some-space people can sit.